On June 11, Edwardsburg High School student Haley Collins, dressed in the Eddie colors of blue and orange, accepted her high school diploma with an oxygen tank trailing behind her. In doing so, she made one of her final wishes come true.

Collins died on June 18, one week after graduation. Born to Charles and Kimberly Collins on Nov. 6, 1996, she suffered a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. She spent many years attempting to obtain a lung transplant, but eventually became too sick to be on the transplant list.

While Haley was denied the ability to do many things that an average child would get to do, her father, Charles Collins, said that she was able to fulfill many of her goals in her short time. The biggest goal Haley had was to graduate high school. The fact that she was able to do this is especially impressive because there were times in her life when she was unable to attend school all together due to her illness.

“There were a lot of things she wanted to do in her life, but I really think [graduation] was the number one thing,” Charles said. “I don’t know if that’s what she was holding on for, but graduating school was very important to her.”

On the day, Charles helped Haley to the stage where she received her diploma and was supported by the family and friends who came out to celebrate the day.

“I think I was about her number one fan in the audience, besides her mom,” said Chase Tilley, Haley’s long-term boyfriend.

Many in the school district were glad that Haley was able to make it to graduation and expressed that the fact she was able to do so was a testament to her strength.

“We are very sad,” said Edwardsburg High School principal about Haley’s death. “But we are also so proud of her at the same time for staying the course and graduating despite the challenges she faced.”

In addition to graduating high school, Haley was able to check many items off her bucket list before her death, including a Make-A-Wish sponsored trip to Disney World and trip to Niagra Falls with her parents that her father’s co-workers raised money to help fund.

“She just had the time of her life at Niagara Falls,” Haley’s father said. “There were times she was able to breathe and forget that she had cystic fibrosis.”

Collins was described as a comfort and inspiration by those who knew her. Many said she loved to laugh and that she always kept a positive attitude, even when faced with the worst of her illness.

“That girl has been through so much,” Tilley, Haley’s boyfriend, said. “A normal person would have given up.”

Many of these sentiments hold true for Haley’s nearly 5,000 Facebook followers that she interacted with via Facebook Live and other social media.

Her friends, family and followers made Haley the subject of internet and crowdfunding campaigns that cumulatively raised more than $7,000. T-shirts and wristbands were created featuring the phrase “#haleystrong,” a popular Twitter and Facebook hashtag meant to raise awareness about Haley’s condition.

In her Facebook Live videos, Haley did her makeup, one of her greatest passions, and talked about her daily life.

“[Her videos] gave her something where she didn’t have to think about that she had cystic fibrosis. She could just sit it in her bed, whether she was at the hospital or at home, she could do her makeup and talk to people,” Charles said. “She had people all over the world who just loved her dearly.”

Haley also used her platform to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis.

“She wanted everyone to know about cystic fibrosis,” Tilley said. “Every day, she tried to get it out there.”

Haley’s father said increased awareness about cystic fibrosis is a good thing that can come from haley’s memory.

“Before Haley, we had never heard of cystic fibrosis. Now we know so much,” he said. “We just want to get the word out there. The more people know about it, the closer we can get to finding a cure.”

Haley is survived by her parents and siblings, Cody, Tim and Ashley.